Welland Hall, February 1887

by Louise Smith Posted on February 7, 2015
West Fifth Street, Oswego, New York. Photo from album of Aida Austin.
Snow in Oswego in Aida Austin Collection.
Welland Hall where Aida stayed when she went to college at Oswego, New York. Welland was a girl’s dormitory from 1867 to 1918. Aida Austin Collection.

Edward Austin Sheldon, A.M., Ph.D, Oswego Normal School, Principal from 1861 to 1897. Dr. Sheldon was possibly a distant Austin cousin of Aida.
Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to Lon Austin, Brooklyn, N.Y.
February 12, 1887
Dear Brother,
I was to church this morning, but I am going to stay in my own room tonight and write letters, for it is not likely that I will have much spare time during the week.

I arrived here safe and sound yesterday morning; came right to the Welland and then went to the school building with Lucy for my books and classification; but there were such a number of students that I was not able to procure either my classification or books until afternoon.

Mr. Poucher was here yesterday afternoon collecting, and I paid him $38 instead of $40 as I intended, because I did not have quite enough change left to get my notebooks.

Mr. Poucher booked me for 29, my old room. I’m real glad for I like it better than any other room in the house. I thought Mr. Poucher must have forgotten to keep me a room when I was registering yesterday afternoon.

“Why Aida, Do you think I would forget you?” Then he told me I could have 29. Now isn’t that just splendid? It is on the fourth floor and my board will be $73 this term instead of $76.

Everything looks natural and there are a number of the old girls here yet, so I have not been very lonesome or homesick. The teachers all seem to remember me and are very pleasant and kind.

Don’t forget to write soon. Your loving sister, Aida Continue reading →

Posted in Austin letters, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove | Comments Off on Welland Hall, February 1887

February 1885

by Louise Smith Posted on February 5, 2015
State Normal School, Oswego, NY (1879–1913) where Aida Austin went to college.
Moonlight on Lake Ontario, Oswego. Postcard in the Austin Collection.

Aida Austin, Oswego, N.Y., to W.H. (Henry) Austin, Eldred
February 26, 1885
Dear Father,
I have received the money from Eldred (her brother).

Your kind and welcome letter was received some time ago, but I have not had time to answer it before, being kept so very busy with my lessons which are much harder this term than last.

We are not going to have finals this term, so it will all depend upon our class work and our impromptus whether we pass from our subjects or not.

I am getting along pretty well so far, but begin to feel rather tired, and shall not be sorry to see the first of June.

I had a letter from Lon a few days ago. He tells me that he thinks the trouble between Mr. Perine and the Church will end in a law suit. It seems strange they will act so foolish. I should think that by this time, they could see it would be better to leave him alone.

How is mother? Does she keep well this winter? I would write you more about the school and my work, but my head is aching quite badly and I am very tired and sleepy.

With love to all, I remain your loving daughter, Aida

Posted in Austin letters, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove | Comments Off on February 1885

February 1882

by Louise Smith Posted on February 3, 2015

Katie, Beaver Brook, N.Y., to Mary
February 7, 1882
Dear Mary,

There was a terrible accident happened today. The train was wrecked and only two cars saved. So I suppose the mail train was destroyed and just to think neither one nor Mary can hear from our beaux…

Write soon, Katie

Mary Ann Austin, Eldred, to Lon Austin, Out West
February 14, 1882
My Dear Son,
I began to be afraid you had gone on to Alaska, or that you was sick or dead until Aida received your letter. She said we might look for you anytime.

Why don’t you come home? What can keep you? Can’t you get your pay, get enough to get home on some way. There is plenty of work here this winter. Come and see.

Your Father said to tell you that if you wanted to see me alive, you better come home. I guess by that he wants to see you and oh, I want to see you more than words can express.

Aida is going to school yet, but I won’t tell my news hoping that you may hear all by word of mouth.

Don’t forget your loving Mother, M.A.

Posted in Austin letters, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove | Comments Off on February 1882

February 1881

by Louise Smith Posted on February 2, 2015
Aida Austin a few years before she wrote her 1881 Diary. Photo courtesy of Katherine T.

Aida A. Austin kept a diary in 1881, the year she turned 20 in November. She lived in New York City with or near her Eldred-Austin relatives during the winter months. In the summer, Aida and her New York City cousins travelled some 100 miles to the village of Eldred, New York, and stayed with Aida’s parents, Henry and Mary Ann Eldred Austin.

In January there were plumbing problems in New York City.

Some February excerpts
N.Y.C., Tues., February 1, 1881
It has snowed all day so we did not go to the Park. I had a letter from mother today. She cannot come down. I have commenced studying again.

Title page of Aida Austin’s 1881 Diary.

N.Y.C., Wed., February 2, 1881
It has been fearful cold today; went to the Park.

N.Y.C., Thurs., February 3, 1881
It has not been quite so cold today. Ida frosted her big toe yesterday. Maria was here this afternoon. She is going to stay with Mary. They are going to give her 12 dollars a month.

N.Y.C., Thurs., Feb. 10, 1881
I have a very bad cold and feel terrible.

N.Y.C., Friday, February 11, 1881
…My teeth commenced aching…and I went to the dentist and had two out. I took the gas and I had to go to bed I felt so bad.

N.Y.C., Sat., February 12, 1881
My cold is worse…

N.Y.C., Mon., February 14, 1881
My cold is so bad I can hardly see. Continue reading →

Posted in Aida Austin Diary, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove | Comments Off on February 1881

Early 1881 Winter

by Louise Smith Posted on February 1, 2015
Mort’s brother Lon (Albert Alonzo) who was out west in 1881. Photo courtesy of Kathy T.

Mort Austin, Eldred, to Lon Austin, Winter, early 1881
Dear Brother Lon,
I begin to think you have forgotten me or are enamored with some nice young lady. I got tired waiting for you to answer my letter, so I will write a few lines.

Father is gone down to Canfield’s to spend the evening.

Scarlet fever is around here. There has 5 been killed with it. The teacher has stopped his school. I am sorry for I want to learn all I could this winter. I like the teacher first rate.

This winter has been the hardest in 25 years. The snow is 3 feet deep and it was outrageous cold yesterday.

Today is the first warm day we have had in 12 weeks. I wish it was spring so I can get away from here. It is getting late. I am getting tired. I must go. Much love to you all. Write soon. Ever your brother, Charles M. Austin

Scarlet Fever at Barryville
The district school at Barryville has been closed on account of the Scarlet Fever. There has been four deaths in that place from it, three of them were members of the school. The first was Mina Cortright, 16 years of age, who had just won a prize of $10 for the best attendance scholarship and deportment.

The teacher and scholars attended the funeral on the 2nd and the next night Lizzie, daughter of Jacob Beck, aged 7 years died, and she was not buried when Herbert, youngest son of Hon. S. St. John Gardner, died.—Republican Watchman, December 17, 1880.

Posted in Austin letters, Echo Hill and Mountain Grove | Comments Off on Early 1881 Winter

Sarah and Hannah Noble

by Louise Smith Posted on January 31, 2015
Sarah Noble married Titus Hinman Jr.

“Ancient Woodbury” and Southbury, Connecticut
As I have researched “Ancient Woodbury,” Connecticut, the home of the ancestors of Asa and Esther Hinman Hickok (who arrived in Lumberland in 1811), I have run across several familiar names.

Southbury was one of the towns taken out of the original area called Woodbury; just as there were several towns taken out of what was Lumberland in 1798.

Leavenworth and Stiles
John Leavenworth of Southbury during the Revolutionary War was probably the grandfather of my ancestor Sherman B. Leavenworth who lived in (Halfway Brook/Eldred) Lumberland by 1835.

John Leavenworth’s granddaughter Harriet Stiles was mentioned several times in the 1815 Diary of Julia Smith (of the Smith Sisters), when Julia visited her grandmother Abigail Johnson Hickok Mitchel in Southbury.

Sarah Noble Hinman
Some thirteen miles east of Woodbury is New Milford, Connecticut, the location of the Alice Dalgliesh’s delightful story, The Courage of Sarah Noble.

Sarah Noble married Esther’s great-uncle Titus Hinman Jr., who lived at Bullitt Hill Brook in Woodbury, on a farm given him by his father.

Hannah Noble Johnson
Sarah’s sister Hannah Noble married Solomon Johnson. Solomon and Hannah’s daughter Abigail Johnson married David Hickok (brother of Asa Hickok).

So Hannah Noble Johnson was the grandmother of Hannah Haddassah Hickok Smith, mother of the amazing Smith sisters. And in 1815, it was Hannah Noble Johnson’s daughter Abigail who Julia Smith visited in Southbury.

Posted in Books of Interest, Letters and information | Comments Off on Sarah and Hannah Noble

Bullet Hill School and Woodbury, CT

by Louise Smith Posted on January 29, 2015
Bullet Hill School where David Hickok taught. Photo: Library of Congress BH024354.

What does Bullet Hill School built in 1762 in what was at that time Woodbury, CT, have to do with Halfway Brook, you ask?

In 1769, David Hickok (who had attended Yale, though not completed a degree), mentioned in his diary that he was teaching at Bullet Hill School.

David was the oldest brother of Asa Hickok. In December 1777 Asa married Esther Hinman in Woodbury, Connecticut.

In 1811 Asa and Esther, my 3rd great-grandparents, arrived with their family in what was then Lumberland, NY. They settled two miles north of Barryville. The current Hickok Brook may have run through their property.

David and Abigail Johnson Hickok and their daughter Hannah
David Hickok and his wife Abigail Johnson were the parents of a daughter Hannah Haddassah Hickok. Hannah married Zephaniah H. Smith in 1786.

    • Zephaniah and Hannah Haddassah Hickok Smith had five illustrious, amazing daughters. The two youngest daughters, Julia and Abby came to national notice in the 1870s.

Asa and Esther Hinman Hickok and their daughter Hannah
Asa and Esther Hickok’s daughter Hannah Hickok (my great-great-grandmother), born in 1789, married James Eldred in what was Halfway Brook, Lumberland, Sullivan County, New York, in 1826.

    • James and Hannah Hickok Eldred had one daughter, Mary Ann Eldred Austin, my great-grandmother. (James had children by his first wife who called Hannah, grandmother. )

Continue reading →

Posted in Austin letters, General information, School | 1 Comment

Hannah Hickok Eldred, January 1864

by Louise Smith Posted on January 26, 2015
Uncle James Austin.

Net Austin, NYC to Mary Ann Eldred Austin, Halfway Brook, NY
Sunday, January 31, 1864
Dear Aunt Mary [Austin],
I received your very welcome letter last week and will now try and answer it.

For a great wonder, we are all well. Mortie [Net’s brother Mortimer Bruce Austin], has been quite sick with a bad cold. He was so sick that he could not go to the store for a week.

Uncle James went up to Mount Kisco Saturday after Aunt Julia. She has been up there three weeks. He is going to bring her down Monday.

Mother got your carpet Thursday. I think you will like it first rate. It will look very nice when you get it down. How I wish I could come up and help you with it. Mother says you must sew the breadths together and tack it around the sides. It will last so much longer if you do.

Is this Hannah Hickok Eldred, mother of Mary Ann Austin?

Emma [Mary Ann’s daughter] is very well, though in rather a bad fix today. Her trunk has got a spring lock. Well she got the key inside and accidentally put down the lid. And as a matter of fact of course, we had not a key that would unlock it, but will get one tomorrow. She gets along first rate at school. She is at the head of her class.

Has Uncle Henry given up coming to Brooklyn? How I wish he would come. How is little Lonie and Eldred? How I do want to see them and all the rest. Give my love to Grandmother [Hannah Hickok Eldred].

With much love to you all. Write soon and oblige. Nettie

Posted in Austin letters, New York City, The Mill on Halfway Brook | Comments Off on Hannah Hickok Eldred, January 1864

January 1863

by Louise Smith Posted on January 25, 2015
Ralph Austin, the grandfather of M.B. Austin.
Mortimer Bruce Austin.

NYC, NY, January 6, 1863
Dear Grandfather [Ralph Austin],

Your letter of December 18th came to hand in due time and I was very glad to hear from you, but sorry to hear that your health continues so poorly and hope this may find you enjoying better health. I have sent you a paper today by mail containing some very important news which I know you will read with a good deal of pleasure.

General Rosencrans has gained a great victory over the Rebels at Murfreesboro, Tenn. After fighting five days, the Rebels retreated in great disorder and our army is in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. The loss is said to be very heavy on both sides.

Another photo of Ralph Austin, my great-great-grandfather.

There has also been a great battle at Vicksburg and we have gained another glorious victory and the Stars and Stripes are now waving over Vicksburg, and Mississippi is cleared of the Rebels. But there is no need of my saying anything about the battles, as you can read it in the papers. We have not as yet received any particulars, but as we do I will send you another paper. Continue reading →

Posted in Austin letters, Civil War, The Mill on Halfway Brook | Comments Off on January 1863

January 1862

by Louise Smith Posted on January 25, 2015
“We are going to be presented with the nicest flag in the United States. Uncle Abe is going to be here when it is presented.” Postcard sent to Sherman’s grandson McKinley Austin around 1907.

Washington, January 16, 1862
Dear friends,
I don’t know what they can want better than we eat. We get rice and molasses twice a week, beefsteak twice a week, pork and beans and corned beef the rest of the week. One loaf of bread a day, coffee twice a day, pea soup once in a while, sometimes ham, potatoes once or twice a week.

The smallpox was in this regiment a while ago, but it is all gone now. I thought I would not write about it at the time for fear you would think I would catch it.

You wanted to know how I got my washing done. We pay a sixpence a piece for a shirt and the same for a pair of drawers. It is cheaper than to wash them ourselves.

I got your letter yesterday and one from Harriet…

I don’t know what is the reason you have not got any letters sooner. I write one every two or three days. We have not got our pay yet, but expect to get it now everyday.

Me sending my money home must interfere with Aunt Sal’s business a great deal that she should get so mad about it.

You can tell the folks that we have plenty to eat, plenty to wear and every one is contented that is not too shiftless to be contented with anything. Continue reading →

Posted in Civil War, Letters and information, The Mill on Halfway Brook | 1 Comment